A climate of trust, non-aggression, sensitivity towards each other and peaceful resolution of differences are among key aspects to ensure regional peace and stability, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Friday in an address at a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) here.
“Peaceful stable and secure region of SCO member states — which is home to over 40 per cent of the global population — demands a climate of trust and cooperation, non-aggression, respect for international rules and norms, sensitivity to each other’s interest and peaceful resolution of differences,” Singh said.
His comments came in the midst of a fierce border row between India and China, both members of the SCO, an eight-nation regional grouping which primarily focuses on issues relating to security and defence.
Singh made the comments in the presence of Chinese Defence Minister Gen Wei Fenghe.
Both India and China are members of the SCO, an eight-nation regional grouping which primarily focuses on issues relating to security and defence.
Indian and Chinese troops are engaged in a bitter standoff in multiple places in eastern Ladakh for four months. Tensions flared up in the region after China unsuccessfully attempted to occupy Indian territory in the southern bank of Pangong lake five days back.
The Defence Minister also talked about the threat of terrorism and extremism and pitched for having the institutional capacity to deal with the challenges.
“India unequivocally condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and condemns its proponents. Adoption of anti-terror mechanism by SCO to counter extremist propaganda and de-radicalisation is a significant decision,” Singh said.
Rajnath Singh added that India valued the works of the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS) and was committed to the evolution of global security architecture, which will be open, transparent and anchored in international laws.
“We laud recent work of RATS in the cyber domain to prevent the spread of radicalism and extremism. The adoption of anti-terror measures by the SCO Council to counter extremist propaganda and de-radicalisation is a significant decision,” he added.
In his address at the combined meeting of defence ministers of SCO, Collective Security Treaty Organisation and Commonwealth of Independent States member states, Singh said: “I reaffirm today that India is committed to the evolution of a global security architecture which will be open, transparent, inclusive, rules-based and anchored in international laws.”
We needed the institutional capacity to deal with both traditional and non-traditional threats, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said at the SCO meet.
“There is a need for a climate of trust, non-aggression and sensitivity towards each other key for peaceful, stable and secure SCO region. Respect for international laws, cooperation and peaceful resolution of differences is the only key for peace and stability in the SCO region,” he said.
On the security situation in Afghanistan, he said it was a matter of concern.
“India will continue to support efforts of people and government of Afghanistan for Afghan-led and Afghan-controlled peace process,” Rajnath said, adding: “The SCO contact group on Afghanistan is useful for exchanging notes among SCO member states.”
He added that India was also deeply concerned about the situation in the Persian Gulf as well.
“We call upon countries in the Gulf region to resolve differences through dialogue based on mutual respect and sovereignty,” he added.
“India has vital interests and links of civilisation and culture with all States in the Gulf. We call upon countries in the region — all of which are dear and friendly to India, to resolve differences by dialogue based on mutual respect, sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs of each other,” he added.
Rajnath Singh also talked about World War II at the SCO meet.
In his address, he said the memories of World War II taught the globe the “follies of aggression” of one state upon another which brought “destruction” to all.
“This year marks the 75th anniversary of the end of the World War II as well as the formation of the United Nations, which underpins a peaceful world, where international laws and sovereignty of states are respected and states refrain from unilateral aggression on another,” he said.
On the coronavirus pandemic, he said the pandemic reminded us that mankind must forget differences to prevent and mitigate higher forces of nature.
Singh also thanked Russia for organising the annual anti-terror exercise ‘Peace Mission’, which he said contributed to building trust and sharing of experience among defence forces.
“We applaud Russian scientists and health workers for spearheading the Sputnik V vaccine,” he said.
